Solvang allows short-term rentals only in the Village Mixed-Use (VMU) District, with a narrow exception for certain properties outside that district that already held a permit when the rule took effect. The city caps permits and requires one before you rent, offer, or advertise your home. Permit holders then carry ongoing duties: renewal papers, a Business Certificate, taxes, and a local contact. You confirm the address, the current rules, the permit, the Business Certificate, the tax duties, and the local contact. Local people handle the on-site work. BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7.
The zoning rule comes first.
“The operation of short-term rentals shall be permitted only in the Village Mixed-Use (VMU), District as shown in the adopted Zoning Map.”
Source: VMU zoning
What this means for you: The zoning rule permits short-term rentals only in one district. The adopted zoning map shows which properties fall inside it.
A narrow exception exists for homes outside that district.
“a short-term rental permit may be permitted at a property outside the VMU District if a short-term rental permit for the property was valid and in effect as of the effective date of this section, the property owner of the property timely submitted a new short-term rental application pursuant to subsection C , and there has been no transfer of ownership since the effective date of this section.”
What this means for you: A home outside the district may get a permit in one case only. Its permit must have been valid and in effect on the effective date. The owner must also have filed a new application on time under subsection C. No ownership transfer can have happened since that date.
What Is Restricted in Solvang
The city limits which homes can host at all.
“Short-term rental units may only be operated within legally constructed single-family dwellings, multi-family dwelling, and multi-family dwellings within a mixed-use project as defined in Section 11-3-3.”
Source: permitted dwelling types
What this means for you: The rule covers only homes that were legally built. It allows homes for one family and homes for several families. It also allows homes for several families inside mixed-use projects. Section 11-3-3 of the code defines those mixed-use projects.
The city also limits how many units can host.
“No more than one dwelling unit per property, or one dwelling unit per building within a multi-unit dwelling or mixed-use project where units share common walls, shall be permitted to operate a short-term rental unit pursuant to a short-term rental permit approved on or after January 1, 2026.”
Source: one unit per property
What this means for you: The rule allows one unit per property or one unit per building. The building option applies to multi-unit dwellings or mixed-use projects with shared walls. The rule covers permits approved on or after January 1, 2026.
The city caps the total number of permits.
“The maximum number of short-term rental permits issued by the City shall be forty (40) permits. Permits shall be issued on a per-unit basis.”
Source: permit cap
What this means for you: The city can issue no more than forty permits in total. The city issues each permit on a per-unit basis.
Applications are reviewed in the order received.
“Short-term rental permit applications shall be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.”
Source: first come
What this means for you: The city reviews applications in the order they were received. Send your form in as early as you can.
Extra applications go on a waiting list.
“Any additional applications submitted to the City after forty (40) permits have been issued, including applications by new property owners submitted pursuant to subsection G.5 , shall be placed on a waiting list in the order in which the applications were received. If a permit becomes available, applications will be reviewed by the City in the order listed on the waiting list.”
Source: waiting list
What this means for you: After forty permits are issued, additional applications join a waiting list. Applications by new property owners under subsection G.5 join too. The list follows the order in which applications were received. If a permit becomes available, the city reviews the list in order. A place on the list is not permission to rent.
Two kinds of applications skip the waiting list.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, applications to make changes to short-term rental permits pursuant to subsection G.4 , or timely renewal applications submitted pursuant to subsection P , shall not be placed on a waiting list.”
Source: Waiting-list exceptions
What this means for you: Forms to change a permit under subsection G.4 skip the waiting list. On-time renewal forms under subsection P skip it too.
How to Check Your Address and Permit Path
Before you apply, confirm the current zoning map, your unit, your bedroom count, your ownership history, your permit status, and the city’s current instructions. The permit only covers what it names.
“A short-term rental permit shall be valid only for the unit and the number of bedrooms specifically authorized in the permit to be operated as a part of the short-term rental.”
Source: permit scope
What this means for you: Your permit covers only the unit and bedroom count it names. You can only rent that exact unit and bedroom count.
Ownership changes reset the clock.
“If a property with a short-term rental permit changes ownership, the new property owner shall submit a new short-term rental permit application in compliance with this section within 60 days of transfer of ownership.”
Source: new owner timing
What this means for you: This rule applies when a permitted home changes owners. The new owner must file a new permit application within sixty days. The sixty days start on the day ownership transfers.
New owners outside the district face a hard stop.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, a new owner of a property outside of the Village Mixed-Use District with a short-term rental permit shall not be eligible to apply for a new short-term rental permit.”
Source: outside-VMU new owner
What this means for you: This rule covers a home outside the district that holds a permit. Its new owner cannot apply for a new permit.
The city decides applications through one office.
“The Community Development Director or their designee shall review and make decisions on short-term rental permit applications.”
Source: application review
What this means for you: The official named in the quote, or someone they choose, reviews requests. That person also makes each decision on rental permit requests.
Permits run for a fixed term.
“An approved short-term rental permit shall be valid for twelve (12) months and shall thereafter automatically expire unless renewed pursuant to subsection P . If a short-term rental permit expires the property owner shall be required to apply for and obtain a new short-term rental permit, subject to the regulations and rules in effect at the time an application is submitted.”
Source: permit term
What this means for you: An approved permit stays valid for twelve months. It then expires on its own unless renewed under subsection P. After expiry, you must apply for and obtain a fresh permit. The rules in force when you apply will govern that permit.
Existing permits got a transition window.
“All short-term rental permits valid and in effect as of the effective date of the ordinance Codified in this section shall remain in effect for 180 days from the effective date of this section and shall thereafter expire, unless, prior to expiration, the property owner submits a new short-term rental permit application in compliance with this section and pursuant to subsection H .”
Source: Existing-permit transition
What this means for you: Permits valid and in effect on the effective date last 180 days. That 180-day window runs from the effective date itself. They expire unless you file a new application before then. That application must comply with this section and subsection H.
What the City Requires Where Rentals Are Allowed
A permit must be approved and issued before any rental activity.
“No person shall rent, offer to rent, or advertise for rent a residential dwelling to another person or group for a short-term rental without a short-term rental permit approved and issued in a manner provided for by this section.”
Source: permit required
What this means for you: You need an approved and issued rental permit first. Only then may you rent, offer, or advertise your home.
You must hold a Business Certificate at all times.
“The property owner of a short-term rental shall have a valid Business Certificate at all times consistent with Chapter 4-9 of this Code.”
Source: Business Certificate
What this means for you: You must keep a valid Business Certificate at all times. It must comply with Chapter 4-9 of the city code.
Every rental needs a local contact.
“Short-term rental units shall have a local contact person who is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.”
Source: local contact
What this means for you: Your rental unit must have a local contact person. That person must be available every day, around the clock.
The local contact must be able to respond fast.
“The local contact person must be able to be present at the short-term rental within 60 minutes of receiving a complaint at all times the short-term rental is operational.”
Source: local response
What this means for you: The local contact must be able to be present at the rental. They get sixty minutes from receiving a complaint. This duty applies at all times the rental is operational.
Every ad must carry two details.
“All advertisements for short-term rentals shall include the short-term rental permit number and the maximum permitted overnight occupancy as stated on the approved short-term rental permit.”
Source: advertising
What this means for you: All ads must show the permit number on your approved permit. All ads must also show the maximum permitted overnight occupancy stated on it.
Renewals have a filing deadline and a safety form.
“The property owner submits a short-term rental application thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the permit that includes all the information and fees required by subsection H of this section and an affidavit, on a form approved by the Community Development Director, signed by the property owner confirming that the home remains in a safe, habitable condition and all fire, life, and safety devices remain properly installed and functioning.”
Source: Renewal filing and affidavit
What this means for you: File your renewal form thirty days before your permit expires. Include all details and fees required by subsection H. Sign the safety form approved by the official named in the quote. Your signature confirms the home stays safe and fit to live in. It also confirms all fire, life, and safety devices still work right. The devices must also remain installed the correct way.
Renewal also requires real rental activity.
“The short-term rental unit has been rented for a minimum of thirty (30) stays during the previous permitting year, as verified through Transit Occupancy Tax filings.”
Source: Renewal minimum stays
What this means for you: Your home must have been rented for at least thirty stays. The city counts stays, not nights, during the previous permitting year. The city verifies the stays through your TOT filings.
Long-running permits need an inspection.
“A short-term rental permit that has been renewed after four consecutive years, shall require an on-site inspection prior to renewal.”
What this means for you: A permit renewed after four straight years needs an on-site check before renewal.
Taxes
Short-term rental owners owe transient occupancy tax.
“The property owner shall pay transient occupancy tax in compliance with Chapter 3-2 of this Code.”
Source: TOT duty
What this means for you: You must pay transient occupancy tax under Chapter 3-2. Keep clear records of every guest stay and payment.
The city’s April 2025 agenda schedule shows the tax rate.
“a) Transient Occupancy Tax 14% N”
Source: April 2025 tax schedule
What this means for you: That dated schedule lists a 14% transient occupancy tax. Confirm today’s rate with the city before you file.
Platforms treat tax collection differently, so check your own listing.
| Platform | Tax collection | Your possible duty |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | “If there isn’t a section for local tax collection under Taxes, we don’t automatically collect and pay on your behalf for that listing.” (Source: Airbnb listing tax setting) | “Hosts may need to manually collect and remit other applicable taxes on their stay or experience price.” (Source: Airbnb owner tax responsibility) |
| Vrbo | “Vrbo collects and remits lodging tax in required jurisdictions when rental bookings and payments are made on our platform.” (Source: VRBO tax collection scope) | “You’re also responsible for collecting and remitting lodging taxes when we’re not liable to do so.” (Source: VRBO owner tax responsibility) |
What this means for you: On Airbnb, you may need to collect and send in other taxes yourself. Those taxes can apply to the stay or experience price. On Vrbo, you collect and send in lodging taxes when Vrbo lacks that duty. Vrbo collects and sends in taxes only in required places. Both the booking and the payment must happen on its platform.
If Your Address Qualifies: What BnBGenius Does
This section is for an owner who checked the address and the current Solvang rules. BnBGenius does not know local rules and does not issue licenses or permits. You keep the zoning, permit, Business Certificate, tax, advertising, renewal, safety, inspection, and local-contact duties. For further reading, see the page on Airbnb PMS requirements.
Answers Guest Messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7
BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7.
For further reading, see the page on Airbnb automated messages. You can also read the page on Vrbo automated messages. For further reading, see how to stop late-night messages as an Airbnb host.
Requests a Review from the Guest and Publishes the Host’s Review
BnBGenius requests a review from the guest and publishes the host’s review.
Kent Morgan:
“We went from reviewing 40% of stays to 100% overnight. The AI even thanked guests for things we fixed mid-stay. Our review-to-review rate jumped immediately.”
Source: Kent reviews
For further reading, see the reviews page.
Creates Cleaning and Repair Tasks After Checkout
BnBGenius creates cleaning and repair tasks after checkout.
Kent Morgan:
“We used to find out about issues in post-stay reviews. Now BnBGenius flags them mid-stay, creates the task, and our cleaners respond in under 15 minutes.”
Source: Kent tasks
For further reading, see the tasks page.
Answers Guest Calls with a Voice AI Agent
BnBGenius answers guest calls with a voice AI agent.
Kent Morgan:
“The concierge answered 84% of our after-hours calls last month without waking anyone up. Guests thought it was our in-house team the whole time.”
Source: Kent voice
For further reading, see the voice AI agent page.
Sells Gap Nights, Early Check-in and Late Checkout
BnBGenius sells gap nights, early check-in and late checkout.
Is Run from Telegram
BnBGenius is run from Telegram.
For further reading, see the Telegram page. You can also read the page on accounting and tax software.
How to Start
Pick the path that fits how much you want to do yourself.
Rules and rates last checked on 26 October 2026.
